Knotting my Bethlehem Olive Wood Handle

Discussion in 'The Brush' started by ObiDon, Nov 3, 2014.

  1. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    Just started looking into getting a knot for my new handle. I have looked at a number of threads on doing this project, and I am going to document my attempt.
    image.jpg
     
  2. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    So that is the handle and here are the dimensions.
    Hole diameter: 24mm
    Hole depth: 20mm
    Overall handle height: 60mm

    I just ordered a Whipped Dog Silvertip 24/65 for it, as my current WD 30/45 is just great. I plan on deep setting it with something to give the handle some extra weight. I will also sand down th varnish that is on it now and use som marine varnish to seal it better. Stay tuned!
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2014
  3. cmorris357

    cmorris357 catching flies.........

    Looks great, I have used Bethlehem olive wood to turn pens that I gave away for Christmas a couple of years ago. I also have a Vie-Long horsehair brush with an olive wood handle.
     
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  4. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    I love the grain on that handle.
     
    ObiDon, Boojum1 and RaZorBurn123 like this.
  5. macaronus

    macaronus Sir Nice-a-Lot

    Can't wait to see the result! The handle is a great start. A beaut!
     
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  6. RaZorBurn123

    RaZorBurn123 waiting hardily...............

    Don, looking forward to seeing your progress.
     
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  7. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    Disaster in my Den! I picked up my VDH Badger from its stand after it had dried out and the knot moved in the handle. A little wiggle a out it came. I actually like this brush and since I'm working on brush building, I will use as an opportunity to experiment on both. I can test fit this knot in the olive wood handle while I wait on the arrival of my WD Silvertip.
    image.jpg
     
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  8. HoosierTrooper

    HoosierTrooper Steve-less in Indiana

    That's a beautiful handle! You may have to open up the hole a bit to get the knot to fit. I usually order the knot a millimeter or two smaller than the opening.
     
  9. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    I'll be following your progress closely both because I love those olive wood handles...but also because I may well be undertaking a re-knotting myself of another brush
     
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  10. celestino

    celestino Friendly Neighborhood Wetshaver

    Congratulations and I wish you much luck with your handle!
    They have such beautiful grain patterns. I am sure it will turn out to be a great brush for you! :)
     
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  11. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    You are correct sir. I had to sand out the inside of the handle to get the knot to fit down deep.
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2014
  12. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    I used my broken VDH brush to play around with different things. I lightly sanded the plastic with 800 grit, and used Cobalt Blue metal flake spray paint. 2 coats and done. Next the handle is hollow and light, so I glued 2 nickels into the bottom, and a wooden dowel to give me the reduced loft for the original knot, about 48mm. I used Gorilla glue which was a mistake. It expands like crazy and got on the edges of the knot. I also had to get rid of the ring on the original knot to get it set lower. So I learned some things on this test. I have epoxy for the olive wood handle. Here are a couple of pics of the "restored" brush.
    image.jpg
    image.jpg
     
  13. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    Back to the olive wood handle. I had to sand out the inside of the handle to get the WD 25/65 to sit low. I also lightly sanded the outside with 800 grit so I could use a clear simi-gloss polyurethane spray finish on it. I did 3 coats over 2 days. This is a pic ready for the knot.
    image.jpg
     
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  14. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    This is the 24/65 Silvertip knot that I received from Larry at Whipped Dog. Nice! He packs it with instructions and Oxyclean to defunk the knot.
    image.jpg
     
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  15. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    Ok all ready for the install of the new knot. This is a test fit deepset 24/45. I am going to epoxy it in, with just a small amount of epoxy that will just come half way up the bottom of the base of the knot. I will give it a day to cure and will give it a test run.
    image.jpg
     
  16. theFAT98

    theFAT98 Well-Known Member

    Beautiful brush.
     
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  17. Tattoobob

    Tattoobob Well-Known Member

    Sweet, enjoy.
     
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  18. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    :signs011:
     
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  19. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    That is very cool what you did. I learned about Gorilla glue the hard way too. However, I had a VDH boar that I did a facelift on. It was a green plastic handle. I sanded and painted it with some Krylon spray paint. http://www.jrshaving.blogspot.com/2014/06/van-der-hagen-premium-boar-brush-re-do.html
    [​IMG]
     
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  20. ObiDon

    ObiDon member in questionable standing

    Very cool! I like that O ring idea. I can use it to cover some of my mistake with the glue. Thanks!
     
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